Living with other people doesn’t have to mean surrendering your independence and personal space. Small spaces can pack a big punch if they’re used or styled with flair. Follow these tips to create your own personal retreat in the chaos of a shared house. After all, as the old saying goes, “sharing is caring”.

Storage

Living in a share home is a great opportunity to look closely at your belongings, and throw out anything that is no longer serving a purpose. For any hoarders out there who can’t bring themselves to let go, storage containers will become your saving grace.

Putting unnecessary items in storage means that you can make the most of your living space. Send out-of-season clothes, shoes, accessories and furniture to storage, and pack old photographs or books along with them. Put those heavy jackets and jumpers away in storage over summer and create a more spacious and decluttered home. Whether it be in the basement, attic or under the stairs- out of sight, out of mind!

Divide the Room

Any sense of privacy can go out the window when you’re sharing a small apartment. However, with clever styling this doesn’t have to be the case. Don’t worry, there are many easy ways to divide a small apartment or house that don’t require a construction permit.

Curtains, screens, and bookshelves each provide personal space without taking up much of their own. Tall plants and even standing mirrors can even double as room dividers, creating the illusion of increased space and separation.

Space-Saving furniture

These days, there is a whole host of beautifully designed, space-saving furniture that

can help transform a cramped space into a spacious haven. From desks that fold back into the wall and removable seats with storage underneath, every piece of furniture in a share home should be multi-tasking. This means finding a table that can function as a desk and a dining table and choosing a sofa that can double as a guest bed.

The secret to creating space in a small apartment is to only invest in smart furniture, keep your possessions to a minimum and look for unexpected storage solutions. Loft beds are a common hack for college dorm rooms, and are increasingly being utilised in the share house setting. If you and your roommate(s) share a small apartment with high ceilings, a loft bed could be the answer to your space-saving prayers.

Go Vertical

The most efficient way to build is vertically. When it comes to interior design in a sharehome, the same rule can be applied. Making use of vertical space is key to maximising space in a small home or apartment.

If it can go on the floor, it can be mounted on a wall. Savvy apartment designers are taking this principle and running with it.  From bicycles to bookshelves, mounting statement pieces on a wall makes an incredible and modern design statement, while also being practical.

Communal Rules

The success of your shared living situation is contingent upon the creation of a set of carefully considered house rules. Living in a sharehouse means respecting not just other people, but also their belongings.

When creating house rules, it is important to designate areas of the house as ‘public areas’. Take note of any communal spaces in the home, such as hallways and living rooms. You’ll be surprised how far noise travels, especially if you live in a high rise. Creating noise curfews in common areas is a key way of ensuring privacy and respect for all roommates.

Living in a share home doesn’t mean throwing privacy and solidarity out the window. The problems associated with smaller shared spaces can be stylishly solved using a few tips, tricks, and just a little creative ingenuity.

Bio: Laura Costello is a recent graduate of a Bachelor of Law/International Relations at Latrobe University. She is passionate about the law, the power of social med